Ash tray



Jan. 27, 1953 ASH TRAY 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed May 25, 1950 INVENTOR. v -o. R. aRoA/f@ Jan. 27, `1953 R. BUROKER ASI-I TRAY 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 25, 1950 INVENToR. 0 A. ako/V54 BY y) A rra/@Vif Patented Jan. 27, 1953 ASH TRAY Y Leo R. Buroker, Dallas, Tex. Application May .25, 1950, Serial No. 164,060

This invention relates to tobacco ash receptacles and-in particular to ash receptacles having automatically operated means in conjunction with the opening and closing of the receptacle for extinguishing burning cigars and cigarettes, and this application relates to the same subject matter as that contained in my co-pending application, Serial Number 119,950, filed on the 6th day of October, 1949.

The invention is particularly adapted to vehicles: such as automobiles, trains, busses and airplanes, and is also suitable for use in homes, oices, hotels andl other places. Discarded smoldering cigars or cigarettes are not only objectionable from the standpoint of their fumes and smoke but also from the standpoint of constituting a fire hazard. Manual cigar and cigarette extinguishers are objectionable from the standpoint that in grinding out the embers, the smokers iingers usually become soiled and the burning shreds of tobacco constitute loose embers which may be blown about by currents of air therebyaggravating the fire hazard. With the foregoing and other well known facts in view, it is the primary object of the invention to provide an automatic extinguisher for tobacco ash receptacles which is operated upon opening and closing the receptacle to receive and contain a burning cigarette or cigar in a separate, small, closed chamber thereby excluding the burning cigar or cigarette from a supply of oxygen and thereby extinguishing it.

An object of the invention is to provide an extinguisher for a 'tobacco ash receptacle which -is automatically operated to extinguish a cigarette bye-losing the receptacle. y f

t -An'objec't of the invention is t0 provide an extinguisher :for tobacco ashreceptacles which partially vgrinds-the enclosed cigarette. An object of the invention is toprovide an extinguisher for atobacco ash receptacle whichv is automatically operated to eject al previously extinguished cigarettefrom thev extinguisher chamber into a storage portion of the receptacle when "the receptacle is lopened thereby conditioning the extinguisher for receiving another burning cigarette.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scraping action between a rotatable extinguisher member and the tray to clear the extinguisher area of a previously extinguished cigarette.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic extinguisher which is adaptable to conventional Vehicular ash trays and ash tray receptacles,

14 Claims. (Cl. 1321-237) 2 l A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive extinguisher. A A further object of the invention is .to-provide an extinguisher having a minimum numberof parts. Y y l A further object of the invention is to provide an extinguisher which will not rattlel due to the vibration of a vehicle.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the inventionis shown in conjunction with a vehicular tobacco ash receptacle for purposes of illustrationA in which: I

Fig. l is a perspective view of an automobile dash board showing the inventive ash receptacle and extinguisher installed therein in the open position. Y Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inventive ash tray and extinguisher in the open position in conjunction With a supporting plate. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional viewgof the inventive ash tray and extinguisher showing the device in open condition with a previously extinguished cigarette in the closed chamber and a burning cigarette in position to be extinguished.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing thetray being closed with the extinguisher rotor walking over the burning cigarette.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 showin the tray closed and the burning cigarette trapped in the small closed chamber.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 showing the tray 0r receptacle being opened withthe last extinguished cigarette beneath ythe rotor extinguisher and the previously `extinguished cigarette behind the rotor extinguisherin the storage compartment. -1 j Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2 taken on the line 1-1 thereof showing the disposition of the spring loop in sliding relation to the tray.

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional View of the device similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a variation in construction. 1

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating a further variation in construction.

Fig. 10 is a slightly reduced top plan view fof the spring member; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating a variation in spring loop construction in conjunction with the tray slide.

The inventive device comprises a plate or housing mounted on a stationary member, a tray slidably mounted on the plate, a spring slidably mounted relative to the tray and the plate,sto`ps Referring now to the drawings wherein like.

numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the preferred embodiment of the tobacco ash receiver automatic extinguisher disclosed therein shows `the vinvention in the optional environment of Ya vehicledash board and comprises an ash tray 2G, flanges 2l on the ash tray 20, a stationary member 22 slidably supportinguthe tray 2c via the anges 2l, a

` V vehicle dashboard Y23 supporting the plate 22,

front stops 2-4 on the plate'22, rearstops A25 on the -plate 22, slots 275 in the sidewalls12'i .of the tray 20, a spring 28 -slidabl-y disposedin the slots 26 between the plate 22 and the bottom 23 of the tray 20 fin sliding relation relative' to the plate f22 `and the tray `2i! and limited in sliding relation relative to the plate 122 and the tray 2i) by lthe front stops 24 and the rear stops .2 ii, a manual -disengaging extension '33 on the spring 2B, a

Vbladed extinguisher rotor 3'! rotatably disposed on vthespring 2B adjacent the bottom 29 of the tray `21)"and `resi-liently positioned yagainst the bottom 29 of the `tray 20 'by the spring 28, a step, dog,

or cam 32 disposed on the bottom 29 of the tray 2'0vand a finger pull grip '33mounted adjacent the front of the tray 2B. Itis to be noted that the outer edges of the blades on the rotor 3| form vhigh points thereof and that the spaces between the blades form low points thereof; the high points contact the dog 32 vand the bottom of the tray whereas pairs of mutually adjacent blade l*faces each having a low point therebetween house the cigarette.

The stationary member 22 may be formed as illustrated in the drawings or kmay be constructved in the fashion of a rectangular housing completely surrounding the tray '283. The bottom 29 of the tray 20 is preferably fashioned with a sloping chute 34 leading to the cam 32, and a rising intermediate portion 35 rearwardly of the cam 32, and a flat rear portion 33; the spring 28 comprises rotor engaging `tips 3l, rearwardly ex- `tending varms V38, reversely bent and-sidewise extending loops 33, forwardly extending arms eil,

ed to contact the bottom 23 of the tray 2i) and vjournals 43 adapted to `receive'the tips 31' of the spring 28; the rotor'3l may be formed with 3, 4

orfany suitable vnumber of blades as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and the remaining figures. The cam 1'32 A and Bon the bottom of the tray Eil may be optionally formed as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9,

wherein the step 32A has a rotor contacting dog portion 44, and a rearwardly sloping top portion t 45; while Fig. 9 shows a dog 32B having a rotor contacting portion 44.

In assembling the device the spring lugs 3l are inserted in the rotor journals 43; the rotor 3l and spring 28 are thenpositioned in the tray 23 with the spring loops 39 positioned in the tray ,side slots 26; the tray 2li, rotor 3l and spring 23 i are then inserted in the housing or o n to the plate "22 with the spring manual stop disengaging extension 30 being manually depressed to pass the housing front stops 24 whereupon the extension 33 is released disposing the stop engaging elbows 4I of the spring 28 between the housing stops 24 and 25. In this condition the tray 2i) is adapted to be slid relative to the housing 22 so that the rotor 3l is spaced from the front of the tray 23 in the open position, Fig. 3, and adjacent the front ofthe tray in the closed position, Fig. 5.

The spring 28 may be slida'bly' arranged in the ,tray 2!! by the formation of a loop 33 in the spring 23 as seen in Fig. 10 or by the use of a 'stud retaining loop 45 as seen in Fig. 11, through which a bolt 4'@ may be inserted and the loop 4S and `tray side 2 abutted by suitable washers and secured .bya nut 48 so that the spring 23 is slidably disposed relative to the tray 20. Obviously any operable sliding arrangement between the tray and the spring will be satisfactory and within the :scope of the invention.

.The tray 20 is divided .by the rotor 3l as .seen in the figures, especially Fig. 3, into a cigarette Areceiving chamber .Afa 'cigarette extinguishing `chamber B, and a cigarette storage chamber C.

YA cigarette deposited in the chamber A is automatically positioned in the chamber B when the tray 20 is closed, and automatically positioned 'in the chamber C when the tray is subsequently Y opened as hereinafter more fullyl explained. It

will be noted, in this connection that the -extinguishing chamber B is defined by the rotor 'blades 42 and the tray bottom 29; ythat the receiving chamber is located between the rotor 3| Aand the front of the tray 20; and that the storage chamber is located between the rotor 3l and the back of the vtray 20.

The operationY of the device in conjunction with extinguishing a cigarette is as .followst When the .drawer is closedrasinfFig. 5, and the .opening operation c-ommences, the drawer and its contents will moveas an entity until the element 4l contactsthe stop A24. Once Vthis contact has been made, the spring 28 and the rotor 3l no longer can be moved outwardly with respect to the drawer mounting means 22. Further out- Y ward movement of the vdrawer will cause sliding Upon closing, the drawer, the spring and the rotor will m-ove as an entity until the stop `25 is contacted by the element .4 l., after which one edge 0fy one .of the blades of the rotor will contact the cam portion 32 of the lbottom of .the drawercausing Vcounter-.clockwise rotation of the rotor as seen in Fig. 4, followed by sliding contact until the position shown in Fig. 5 is reached.

As the tray 2B is opened, the rotor 3|'grinds the previously extinguished cigarette 5| between one of its blades 42 and the bottom of the tray. When the drawer is open, the cigarette 5U to be extinguished is placed in the front of the tray. While the drawer is closed, the rotor 3| contacts the -dog .32 and steps over the cigarette 50 to enclose same and walks past the cigarette 5 land then `slides the same into the chamber C area of the tray. The device, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, works similarly to the structure explained with the exception that in the embodimentillustrated in Fig. 9, the cigarette will be scraped over the step 32B when the tray 20B is opened, while in the device of Fig. 8, the rotor 3l grinds the cigarette against the bottom ofthe tray 320A.

The operation of the device `includes receiving fascisme a burning cigarette in the chamberA, automatfically enclosing the burning cigarette in the extinguishing chamber B, and storing extinguished cigarettes in the chamber C. The tray 2i) may easily be removed -from the housing 22 by depressing thespring thumb extension 30 so that the spring elbows 4| can pass the front stops 24 to empty extinguished cigarettes from the storage compartment C.

Obviously a weighted rotor can be utilized instead of the spring pressed rotory and a separatev travel limiting and latchingV mechanism employed within the scope of the invention.

While the invention has beenfdisclosed and described in relation to preferred `embodiments thereof, it is obvious that many changes may be -made in the size, shape, arrangement, and dethe bottom of said tray, and said tray having aV dog adapted to Contact said rotor when said tray is slid into said housing to rotate said rotor.

2. An ash receptacle comprising a housing, a tray slidably mounted in said housing, ya bladed rotor adapted to rest on the bottom of said tray,

and said tray having a' dog adapted to rotate said rotor when said tray is slid into said housing to Walk over, trap, and extinguish a burning cigarette deposited in the front portion of said tray.

3. In a sliding tobacco ash receiver, an automatic burning cigarette extinguisher comprising a bladed rotor bearing against-the bottom of the receiver, and said receiver having a dog adapted to contact and rotate said rotor when said receiver is slid closed so that said rotor walks over said dog -andtrapsthe burning cigarette between two adjacent blades and the bottom of the receiver to extinguish same.

4. An ash receptacle comprising a stationary member, a tray slidably mounted on said member, a dog disposed in the bottom of said tray, a bladed rotor adapted to rest on the bottom of said tray and to ride over said dog when said tray is opened and to engage said dog when said tray is closed to rotate said rotor so that said rotor walks over and traps between two adjacent blades of said rotor and the bottom of said tray, a burning cigarette deposited adjacent the front of said tray to extinguish the cigarette.

5. An ash receptacle :comprising a stationary member, a tray slidably mounted on said member, a dog disposed in the bottom of said tray, a bladed rotor adapted to rest on the bottom of said tray and to ride over said dog when said tray is opened and to engage said dog when said tray is closed to rotate said rotor so that said rotor walks over and traps between the blades of said rotor and the bottom of said tray a burning cigarette deposited adjacent the front of said tray to extinguish the cigarette; said rotor being adapted to slide relative to the bottom of said tray except when in contact with said dog so as to crush a trapped cigarette and across said dog in one direction only.

6. An ash receptacle comprising a stationary member, a tray slidably mounted on said member, a dog disposed in the bottom of said tray, a bladed rotor adapted to rest on the bottom of said tray and to ride over said dog when said tray is openedand to engage said dog when 4said tray is vclosed to rotate said rotor so that said rotor walks over and traps between the blades of said rotor and the bottom of said tray a burning cigarette deposited adjacent the front of said tray to extinguish the cigarette, said rotor being'adapted to i slide relative to the bottom of said tray except when in contact with said dog so as to crush a trapped cigarette and across said dog in one dil()v `rection only, said rotor being adapted to liberate a previously trapped cigarette while inthe act of walking over a burning cigarette adjacent the front of said tray and to scrape the extinguished cigarette into the back portion of said tray when said tray is subsequently opened.

7. A. tobacco ash receiver comprising a housing. a tray slidably mounted relative to saidhousf ing, a spring4 slidably mounted relative. to said ltray, a stop limiting outward sliding movement .of

`said spring, a stop limiting inward sliding movement of said spring, a bladed rotor disposed within said tray rotatably disposed on said spring; said spring being adapted to press said rotor against the bottom of said tray; and said tray having a dog adapted to contact said rotor to rotate sai-d rotor when said tray is slid into said housing.

8. A tobacco ash receiver comprising a plate,` a tray slidably mounted' on said plate, a bladed rotor disposed in said tray dividing said tray into a cigarette receiving compartment, a cigarette extinguishing compartment, and an extinguished cigarette storage compartment, a spring rotatably and slidably supporting said rotor and pressing said rotor against the bottom oi said tray so that said tray slides relative to said rotor,v said tray l compartment.

9. An ash receptacle comprising a mounting, a tray slidably disposed in said mounting having means forming spring slides on either side thereof, a spring slidably disposed in the means forming spring slides of said tray adapted to bear against said mounting and against said tray bottom, a bladed rotor rotatably disposed on said spring adjacent said tray bottom so that said spring presses sai-d rotor against said tray bottom, and said tray bottom having a dog adapted to contact said rotor to rotate said rotor when said tray is slid into said housing so that said rotor walks over a burning cigarette adjacent the front of said tray and traps said burning cigarette between its bla-des and the bottom of said tray to extinguish said cigarette.

10. A tobacco ash receiver `comprising -a stationary member, a front stop on said member; a rear stop on said member, la tray slidably mounted relative to said member having means forming spring slides therein, a spring slidably mounted in the slides of said tray pressing toward the bottom of said tray and slidably pressing against said member in the area of said member between said stops so that the sliding relation between said spring and said member is limited by said stops, a bladed rotor rotatably disposed on said spring at said tray end of said spring so that said spring urges said rotor against said tray bottom, said tray having a dog adapted to rotate said rotor when said tray is slid into said member and to by-pass said rotor when said tray is slid out of said 'member so At1'1at''said rotor Walks -over `said :dogon oneof itshigh points when said "tray is Aclosing to trap a burning Ycigarette between two I of the blades and the bottom of said tray to extinguish the burning cigarette and Vgrind the extinguished cigarette between a high point on said rotor and said tray bottom when said tray is subsequently opened.

11. A tobacco ash receiver having an automatic extinguisher for cigars and cigarettes comprising a housing constituting a tray slide and a tray closure, a tray mounted relative to said housing and adapted to slide into and out of said housing having means forming ya slide therein to receive a rotor supporting member in sliding .relation therewith, a rotor supporting member slidably mounted insaid tray, a rotor supporting 'member front stop on said housing, a rotor supporting memberrear stop-on'said housing; said stops being 'adapted to permit limited linear travel of said Vmember 'relative to` said housing less than the :full length of said tray relative to said housing, a bladed rotor rotatably mounted on said member in contact with the bottom of said tray adapted to rest thereon cn any two 'of its blades Vso as to dene an extinguishing chamber between its blades and the bottom of the v tray, and a step in the bottom of said tray adapted to by-pass said rotor When said tray is opened and to actively contact .a blade on said rotor when said tray is closed when said rotor supporting lmember contacts said rear stop to prevent further travel thereof relative to said housing so that further inward travel of said tray relative to said member and housing eiects said rotor to walk over said step and a burning cigarette deposited adjacent thereto to trap the burning cigarette between the blades of said rotor and the bottom of said tray.

12. A tobacco ash receiver having an automatic extinguisher for burning cigarettes and cigars comprising a housing constituting a tray slide, a tray slidably positioned in said housing, means forming a spring slide in said tray, a spring slidably disposed in said spring slide means, a front stop on said housing, a rear stop on said housing, a spring slidably positioned relative to H'Said-housingbetween said stops and'slidably-positioned relative to said tray in said spring slide means, a bladed rotor rotatably disposed on said spring bearing against the bottom of said tray under the pressure of said spring so that Vdue to the spacing of the rotor blades and the pressure of said spring said tray can be slid on the bottom of said rotor; said'spring stops on said housing being so arranged as to permit limited linear travel 'of said spring' and rotor relative `to said trayvand housing; and said tray having a dog adapted to contact a blade on said rotor when said tray is being `slid into said housing when said rear stop prevents further travel of said spring and said rotor relative to said housing so that further inward travel of 'said tray relative to said housing 'and said rotor with said rotor abutting said dog preventsfnormal sliding between said Vtray andsaid rotor-causing saidl rotor to rotate to walk over said dog and a burning cigarette adjacent said dog to trap the cigarette between the-blades of said rotor and said tra bottom to extinguish said cigarette.

13. In a device as set forth in claim 12, said rotor and said-dog lbeing so arranged to slidingly 'pass one another when said tray is slid out of said housing toI grind Aand crush a previously extinguished trapped cigarette between a rotor blade and the bottom of said tray. Y

14. In a device as set forth in claim l2, a sloping chute'portion inthe front ofthe tray adapted to deliver a deposited burning cigarette to -a point in said tray adjacent said dog.

LEO R. BUROKER.

'REFERENCES CITED The followingy references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,573,678 Crawford Y Y Feb. 16, 1926 1,912,598 Snadden -r- June 6, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 517,211 Great Britain Jan. 23, 1940 

